Pathophysiological mechanism of traumatic cavitation of the spinal cord

The gross anatomy and the histological appearances of the spinal cord were studied in 120 patients who died in the Metropolitan Rehabilitation Centre at Konstancin as a result of a spinal injury. Three varieties of lesion were found: Total disorganisation of the spinal cord at the site of trauma. Total disorganisation of the cord at the site of trauma associated with pipelike necrosis extending up and down from the main injury. This longitudinal cylindrical-pipelike necrosis is described in this paper as 'traumatic haemorrhagic cavitation'. Partial spinal cord necrosis localised to the area of supply of intraspinal arteries. The possible vascular mechanisms of traumatic spinal cord injury, resembling the changes observed in experimental animals, are discussed.